Where's some REAL Mexican Food?

amazing how many of these taco threads i've seen. i live in the UES after moving from sf 6 months ago. i go up to La Hacienda on 116th quite (pretty darn good) often but get the impression I haven't tapped the area for all its worth. moving to park slope sometime next year and feel i moving even farther away from good mexican food. will mark this thread for future reference.

in the meantime, if teafolks could give me a few more possibilities in harlem so I can get my fill in before moving to park slope it'd be much appreciated.

tljohnson wrote: amazing how many of these taco threads i've seen. i live in the UES after moving from sf 6 months ago. i go up to La Hacienda on 116th quite (pretty darn good) often but get the impression I haven't tapped the area for all its worth. moving to park slope sometime next year and feel i moving even farther away from good mexican food. will mark this thread for future reference.

in the meantime, if teafolks could give me a few more possibilities in harlem so I can get my fill in before moving to park slope it'd be much appreciated.

I used to love La Hacienda when I lived up there. There's actually a very good place a bit further south than that called Taco Taco. It's on Second Ave at 90th. Their tacos and stuff are really good, but the real glory there is in the tortas. For six bucks, you can totally get stuffed with amazing mexican bliss. I used to love the puerco enchilado torta, the carnitas torta, the carne asada torta and the milanesa, all on telera bread, spread with beans, lettuce, tomato, onions, avocado, jalapenos, mayonaise and melted cheese. I wish there were one of those places near here... =P~

oh my. i'm there tomorrow.

pitu wrote: ...Maria's is okay in a gringo-centric strong drinks sort of way, and their guac *is* good. ...

I was intimidated at first by the ardent nature of the request, but I was relieved to find (above) a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates both my sensibility for Mexican food and one of my favorite destinations. Even though pitu is being more critical than not, probably. ...I recognize that I value a Mexican restaurant as much (really, more) for its liberal dispensation of tequila as for the authenticity (whatever that means in New York City) or the quality of its food, and so I won't be offended when no one attaches too much credence to my endorsements for Maria's (Fourth and Union), Mezcal's (several locations up and down Brooklyn) and Rachel's Taqueria (408 Fifth).

PS. My San Diego friends say there are no good tacos in this town. :roll: I'll drink to that!

Username: * wrote: [quote=pitu] ...Maria's is okay in a gringo-centric strong drinks sort of way, and their guac *is* good. ...

I was intimidated at first by the ardent nature of the request, but I was relieved to find (above) a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates both my sensibility for Mexican food and one of my favorite destinations. Even though pitu is being more critical than not, probably. ...I recognize that I value a Mexican restaurant as much (really, more) for its liberal dispensation of tequila as for the authenticity (whatever that means in New York City) or the quality of its food, and so I won't be offended when no one attaches too much credence to my endorsements for Maria's (Fourth and Union), Mezcal's (several locations up and down Brooklyn) and Rachel's Taqueria (408 Fifth).



it's all in the description . . . I wasn't criticizing, just 'splaining. Especially when it comes to Mexican in the USA, it helps to be clear.
Si se puede!

Pitu re: Flores y Tamales: is that the place that has hanging plants and says "Homemade Soup" outside? It has a kind of porch? I got food there once and it was just ok but perhaps I ordered the wrong thing.

I find the food at 5th and 11th to be pretty bad, like flavorless canned refried beans. The food at DF Taqueria is ok if you're in the mood for Tex-Mex. The place south of there, I think 5th and 22nd? is pretty good. They don't speak a lot of English and I don't remember the name of it.

ex-Angeleno in S. Slope wrote: Pitu re: Flores y Tamales: is that the place that has hanging plants and says "Homemade Soup" outside? It has a kind of porch? I got food there once and it was just ok but perhaps I ordered the wrong thing.

I find the food at 5th and 11th to be pretty bad, like flavorless canned refried beans. The food at DF Taqueria is ok if you're in the mood for Tex-Mex. The place south of there, I think 5th and 22nd? is pretty good. They don't speak a lot of English and I don't remember the name of it.

si querida, re: Fourth Ave 10/11th. Some people love their soups. Those aren't Mexican. I love their tamales, esp on Mondays when they def. have Oaxaquenos. The verdes are the bomb.

and ooooo I hope someone is reading this today that can benefit: I had fab.u.lous fish tacos at La Taqueria on Seventh Ave and Berkeley today. It was a special. F*CK! How long have they been doing this as a special?? I've never had the luck. Little lumps of fish made to order out of the fryer, with a perfect spiiiiicy orange sauce on a soft tortilla with a little shredded lettuce. YUM, and bloody hard to find in NYC.

this is aimed at no one:

please remember that mexico is comprised of several states. very similar to the US in that way. and, like the US, the regional cuisine changes state by state. flour tortillas with some cheese, grilled? that's a totally normal snack food in monterrey. fish tacos? if you're in mazatlan. or somewhere like that. tamales with green plantain leaves and olives? oaxaca. it changes nation-wide, the cusine. just ... try to comprehend that.

To reiterate:

Oaxaca.


(that's where the good shits at! )

any fans of cantinas on 4th ave and 12th street? food is pretty good, i dig the vibe--it can get filled pretty quickly! and the happy hour margaritas make me pretty happy...just another spot to check out...

Definitely a fan of both Cantina and Mezcal's! If I want to go for sit-down Mexican, it's usually one of those. Lately I've been ordering from Taqueria D.F. I feel like their food is just so fresh and not very greasy. An added bonus is that I can order through Seamless Web.

Those are my 3 favs.

SouthSlopeSuit wrote: Just a quick word to defend Bogota (which indeed is not Mexican, so sorry to stay off-topic) - I love the place. Lively vibe, great food, good drinks. Hip, crowded, loud, expensivish. But always a pleasure on my half-dozen visits.

But other people have clearly had different experiences, so... go figure.

Bogota does not claim to be Mexican, does it? At Bogota, I've enjoyed tasty "pan-Latin' food and OK drinks inside an attractive, fun space. The waiters were neither exceptionally polite or rude. I met the owners a few times and they seemed friendly and cheerful. A friend, who always complains at restaurants that overcook fish, claims that Bogota's tender mussels are excellent.

raw wrote: At Bogota, I've enjoyed tasty "pan-Latin' food and OK drinks inside an attractive, fun space. The waiters were neither exceptionally polite or rude. I met the owners a few times and they seemed friendly and cheerful. A friend, who always complains at restaurants that overcook fish, claims that Bogota's tender mussels are excellent.

I'm glad you and your friend had a pleasant meal and a nice time. But it seems like the equivalent of saying "I've never been the victim of a crime" while living in the absolute worst neighborhood in the city. In other words, you may have made out OK, but hordes of others claim the exact opposite.

Has anyone seen/tried "Chiles & Chocolate" on 7th Ave? I am not sure between what but it is probably 6-7 blocks from Flatbush. I believe it is supposed to be a Mexican Restaurant, the space looked small but trendy.

Nuevo Taco on 12-13th & 5th is pretty authentic Mexican..I love their chillate soup and cessina (salty beef) taco. Marias--go see the other posts about them (!)..although, as people said, one r train ride away is sunset park--and you can just find a random one. Now THAT'S Brooklyn!

bklynnewbie wrote: Has anyone seen/tried "Chiles & Chocolate" on 7th Ave? I am not sure between what but it is probably 6-7 blocks from Flatbush. I believe it is supposed to be a Mexican Restaurant, the space looked small but trendy.

'

I've seen Chiles and Chocolate as well. I can only hope that this place is run by authentic Mexicans who know how to cook and not some goofy white chef who is "trained" in regional specialties. It's interesting to see that a big chunk of the mexican eateries in NYC are run by people who are every thing but Mexicans, bus boys and dishwashers excluded.

Actually, there is a place I hit once in when I bring my bike in for a tune up. It's on the corner of 47th and 7th. I forget the name. I always get the roast pork on wonder bread with a ton of mayo. The food in general isn't spicy but it does have lots of flavor.

I drove by Chiles & Chocolate. It's between Lincoln & St. John's. The sign states that it's an "Oaxacan Kitchen.:

Lemme guess. They're gonna specialize in "mole".

bklynnewbie wrote: I drove by Chiles & Chocolate. It's between Lincoln & St. John's. The sign states that it's an "Oaxacan Kitchen.:

Well, they better have "mole"
Is it open yet?

MichaelKeys wrote: [quote=raw]At Bogota, I've enjoyed tasty "pan-Latin' food and OK drinks inside an attractive, fun space. The waiters were neither exceptionally polite or rude. I met the owners a few times and they seemed friendly and cheerful. A friend, who always complains at restaurants that overcook fish, claims that Bogota's tender mussels are excellent.

I'm glad you and your friend had a pleasant meal and a nice time. But it seems like the equivalent of saying "I've never been the victim of a crime" while living in the absolute worst neighborhood in the city. In other words, you may have made out OK, but hordes of others claim the exact opposite.

I do know the feeling. I was downright abused by waiters at Amin Indian on 7th Avenue near Union Street. The worse part is, I was stupid enough to return one year later assuming that service would have magically improved.

I recently tried Burrito Bar at 307 Flatbush AveFlatbush Avenue. The waiters were nice and the prices were reasonable, but the food was greasy and served in edible, deep-fried dishes. But this is just my opinion -- obviously there must be a demand for oily peppers inside deep-fried tableware, or the place would be out if business.

http://www.burritobarbrooklyn.com/?clubplanet

From the burrito bar and kitchen link:

Welcome to Burrito bar & kitchen

We are in the process of upgrading our web sight.

burrito bar: their americanized stuff is best. their fish tacos are quite good, as are their salads. everything else = lousy. including their margaritas. the last time I was there I had to coach them through a margarita "no. I don't want ORANGE JUICE in my margarita. more tequila. less simple syrup. wtf?!"

alafairnadia wrote: burrito bar: the last time I was there I had to coach them through a margarita "no. I don't want ORANGE JUICE in my margarita. more tequila. less simple syrup. wtf?!"

Sorry, but the mental picture of that ordeal is so funny.

MichaelKeys wrote: [quote=alafairnadia]burrito bar: the last time I was there I had to coach them through a margarita "no. I don't want ORANGE JUICE in my margarita. more tequila. less simple syrup. wtf?!"

Sorry, but the mental picture of that ordeal is so funny.

no kidding


so I went by Chiles & Chocolate Oaxacan Kitchen, they *are* open 7am - 11pm daily
does not appear to have liquor license
54 7th Ave (Lincoln/St Johns) 718 230 7700
they have atole and champurrado (hot breakfast drinks, very regional) and a note on their takeout menu that welcomes you to authentic southern Mexican food. tacos, elotes, ceviche, sopas, mole platos (negro, verde, coloradito), chiles rellenos, most of it sounds great to me. I'm fighting the urge of high expectations....I want to walk into the mercado in OAX and it just can't be that exactly. :oops:

Not Cheap, fyi. I already had dinner plans last night, and tonight . . . somebody go!

fingers crossed

pitu wrote: so I went by Chiles & Chocolate Oaxacan Kitchen...and a note on their takeout menu that welcomes you to authentic southern Mexican food. tacos, elotes, ceviche, sopas, mole platos (negro, verde, coloradito), chiles rellenos, most of it sounds great to me.

Pardon my ignorance but there's Mexican ceviche as well? (I always thought of it as Peruvian...)

MichaelKeys wrote: [quote=pitu]so I went by Chiles & Chocolate Oaxacan Kitchen...and a note on their takeout menu that welcomes you to authentic southern Mexican food. tacos, elotes, ceviche, sopas, mole platos (negro, verde, coloradito), chiles rellenos, most of it sounds great to me.

Pardon my ignorance but there's Mexican ceviche as well? (I always thought of it as Peruvian...)

I don't know if they invented it on their own, or recognized a good thing in Peru, but ceviche is widely served. Come to think of it, lots of places with coastline eat raw fish dressed with citrus - Italians have a version too.

I'm excited to to hear about Chiles and Chocolate, I can't wait to try it. Please post a review once you get there.

On another not-quite-Mexican note, once March rolls around, the Red Hook soccer/futbol fields are THE place in New York City to get lo mas autentico Latin American food. It's mostly Central American, but totally delicious, totally cheap and I'm totally addicted. Must try's include: huaraches (giant, bean-filled flour tortillas loaded with chorizo, shredded cabbage, salsa, natilla, grilled cebollitas... mmmmm. Salvadoran pupusas, elotes, horchata. Mmmmmmm... can't wait til Spring!

8thandPrez wrote: ...once March rolls around, the Red Hook soccer/futbol fields are THE place in New York City to get lo mas autentico Latin American food. It's mostly Central American, but totally delicious, totally cheap and I'm totally addicted. Must try's include: huaraches (giant, bean-filled flour tortillas loaded with chorizo, shredded cabbage, salsa, natilla, grilled cebollitas... mmmmm. Salvadoran pupusas, elotes, horchata. Mmmmmmm... can't wait til Spring!

Yeah, I've heard great things about it. Too bad I'm not crazy about Central American food. :sad:

Hey, isn't elote another word for maiz (corn)?

MichaelKeys wrote: Hey, isn't elote another word for maiz (corn)?

si
corn on the cob on a stick, dusted with chile powder
available at both the ballfields and the new place on 7thAve that nobody has checked out yet

what don't you like about Central Am food? Broad category, no?